Houston Republic

From new vehicles that more efficiently pick up and haul trash to Houston Fire Department hazmat trucks that can help save lives, Mayor Sylvester Turner today announced the significant progress his administration has made in replacing older fleet vehicles to improve services provided to the public by several city departments.

City services are dependent upon fleet vehicles. Specialized vehicles are used as tools for dedicated services, while standard vehicles transport employees to locations where in-person contact is necessary.

The City operates a fleet of more than 13,000 vehicles.  The timely replacement of worn vehicles ensures the City fleet and associated services remain reliable and cost effective.

"Recent changes to the City's vehicle procurement process are helping the City to adjust to the new vehicle market. The City is now able to act much quicker as manufacturers make vehicle availability announcements," said Fleet Director Gary Glasscock. "Mayor Turner's administration has diligently provided for the City's fleet despite dealing with unprecedented market conditions for the automotive and heavy-equipment industries. Administration responses to the challenges have mitigated the impact of vehicle availability issues on providing City services."

Highlights of today's announcement:

• More than $530,858,000 has been allocated to fleet replacement programs since FY16.
• The City has received 6,943 new fleet vehicles at a total cost of $383,352,671since January 1, 2016.
• The 6,943 delivered vehicles replaced almost 57% of the existing fleet.

Houston Fire Department

• More than $108,344,514 has been allocated to HFD vehicle replacement programs since FY16.
• The current Administration has provided for the purchase of 578 HFD vehicles at a total cost of $105,716,120. This total includes the number of delivered vehicles, the vehicles pending delivery, and funded procurements currently being processed. The Administration has additionally provided HFD with the long-term lease of 122 trucks. The combination of the purchased and leased vehicles will provide a 62% turnover of the December 2015 HFD fleet.

Houston Public Works

• More than $136,969,349 has been allocated to HPW vehicle replacement programs since FY16.
• HPW has received 2,138 new fleet vehicles at a total cost of $107,573,041 since January 1, 2016.
• The 2,138 delivered vehicles replaced almost 59% of the December 2015 HPW fleet.

Houston Solid Waste

• The current Administration has provided for the delivery of 532 SWMD vehicles. This total includes the number of delivered vehicles, the vehicles pending delivery, and the vehicle replacement projects recently funded under the FY24CIP. The 532 new vehicles will result in the replacement of 75% of the December 2015 SWD fleet.
• Over the past four months, 28 heavy-duty SWMD trucks have been delivered; another 51 are expected before the end of this calendar year.

Houston Police Department

• The Administration has provided for the delivery of 3,475 HPD vehicles at a cost of $135,003,220 when totaling the number of delivered vehicles, the vehicles pending delivery, and the vehicle replacement projects recently funded under the FY24CIP. This is a 105% flip of the December 2015 HPD fleet.

"Employees and equipment have always remained my priority. From day one, I committed to upgrading and replacing fleet vehicles to allow municipal workers to safely do their jobs and serve the public effectively and on time. That is what we have done during my administration, and these investments will make a difference far into the future," said Mayor Turner.

Original source can be found here.